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This position is located in Natchez Trace Parkway, in the Fire Management Division.
06/01/2023 to 06/30/2023
$37,696 - $49,009 per year
GS 5
2 vacancies in the following location:
No
No
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Permanent -
Full-time -
Competitive
None
No
Yes
SE-1630-NATR-23-11988222-DE
729119300
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. DIRECT HIRING AUTHORITY will be used to fill this position.
This is a are Career-Seasonal position. Career-Seasonal appointments are permanent positions and include the same benefits as Career appointments, but do not provide work on a year-round basis. Selectee is guaranteed to work at least 6 months per year but not more than 50 weeks per year, with the work schedule determined upon appointment. Non pay status is from 05/19-06/14. Work schedule and periods of non-pay status are contingent upon funding and operational needs. On an annual basis, employee signs a "career-seasonal" agreement with the supervisor which defines the work schedule for that year. After 90 days in this position, employee's work schedule may be changed to a permanent non-career seasonal position. In which case they will work 12 months per year.
Wildland Fire Engine Serves as a senior wildland firefighter on a wildland fire engine. May drive engine to fire locations over unimproved roads. Positions engine in appropriate locations in consideration of safety of module/crew and equipment, and how the equipment can best be used in control and mop-up operations. Personally performs and may direct others in starting pump engine, priming pump, adjusting engine speed and pump valves, laying hose, and using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustment in effective use of water and additives. May have specialized duties such as water handling specialist, chainsaw operator, or responsible for maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland urban interface/intermix situations.
Prescribed Fire Serves as senior wildland firefighter on a prescribed fire module. Performs prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. Monitors fire behavior, fire effects, and fire weather on prescribed fires. Collects fire data such as fuel loading, tree stand density, fuel moisture, maps projects, weather, and maintains records. Operates, maintains and makes minor repairs to chainsaws. May use specialized firing equipment (e.g. fusees, drip torches, flares, and terra torch). May support wildland fire suppression activities.
Duties Common to All Functional Areas Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. When positioning and deploying personnel and equipment, recommends best approaches and practices to use in protection of the values at risk Responsible for operation and maintenance of specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations. Performs or instructs others in preventative maintenance inspections and basic repairs of vehicles and equipment. Accomplishes emergency repairs as necessary to permit continued use of equipment. In those instances when the apparatus cannot be used effectively in suppressing the fire, the incumbent takes appropriate control action in attacking the fire. Participates in wildland fire and safety training in the techniques, practices, and methods of fire suppression and in the safe, efficient operation and use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in fire suppression activities, with emphasis on those used in the particular function assigned. Participates in module/crew proficiency checks and drills, safety sessions, and fire critiques. Ensures own and welfare and safety of others in all aspects of the assignment.
Additional informationThis position is located within the Mississippi River Fire Management Zone of the Southeast Region of the National Park Service. This position assists with wildland fire suppression and fuels management operations at 24 National Park Service units ranging from the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and Kentucky, south to the Gulf Coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
The Work Capacity Test (WCT-Pack Test) as a method for assessing an employee's fitness levels for fire qualifications in the positions covered by this recruitment notice. Arduous fitness (WCT-Pack Test) will consist of completing a three-mile hike, within 45 minutes, while carrying a 45 pound pack. NOTE: Arduous Work Capacity Test
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement06/30/2023 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount qualified specialized experience.
This position has been identified as one of the 13 key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a IFPM position, Forestry Techniican (Senior Fireflighter and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. For more information on IFPM, click here.
Selectees for IFPM positions requiring currency will be required to obtain and maintain currency for the NWCG qualifications listed above.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions and Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0462: Forestry Technician Series).
NOTE: If your firefighting experience includes both structural and wildland, it is essential that your application materials clearly separate and document your wildland experience.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service Examples of qualifying specialized for this position is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. Examples of specialized experience include: Forestry aid or technician work; engineering, range, or soil conservation technician work that involved the application of cultural resource conservation, or land management practices on nonforest or ranch lands when combined with knowledge of forestry operations and equipment; farming or ranching work that involved application of cultural and soil and water conservation practices, including safety and use of equipment, and that provided a basic understanding of land use; or forest or range fire control, prevention, or suppression work. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
At least a full 4-year course of study above high school (120 semester hour or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture or a subject-matter field directly related to the position (e.g., fire science, suppression and prevention), or that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine fisheries and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science. No more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable toward the 24 hours. Related course work are subjects such as forestry, fire science, suppression and prevention or other closely related subjects pertinent to the fire management and protection of forest and range resources. The two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience.
-OR-
Equivalent combination of education and experience. For example, I have six months of the specialized experience described in A above (50% of the experience requirement), and three years of college study from an accredited institution, which included at least 12 semester hours of related coursework as specified in B above (50% of the qualifying education). NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must submit a legible copy of your transcripts (A copy of your official transcripts will be required before entrance on duty, if selected).
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
When submitting college transcripts, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
This notice is being issued to recruit personnel to occupations for which a critical hiring need has been identified. To assist in filling these positions, OPM has granted the Department of the Interior "Direct Hire Authority".
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Physical Demands: Essential functions require arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting. Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity. Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on employee during fire activities.
Working Conditions: The work is primarily performed in forest, range and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Employee may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (boots, hardhat, gloves, flame resistant clothing, etc.). Work may require travel by fixedwing or rotor-wing aircraft. Special Working conditions: Ardous duty, rugged terrain, standing, lifting, carry heavy loads.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For Information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: Career Transition (opm.gov)
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.
Applicants will be evaluated based on how well they meet the qualification requirements.
Upon receipt of the completed application package, a review of the application will be made to ensure basic qualification requirements are met.
This vacancy will be filled through DOI's Direct Hire Authority. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to positions filled under this Authority. All qualified applicants, as determined by the SHRO, will be referred for consideration. While managers and supervisors are not required to conduct interviews, it is highly recommended that they do so in order to assess the competencies of each applicant.
If an applicant's resume is incomplete or does not support the requirements for minimum qualifications or specialized experience a rating of "ineligible" or "not qualified" will be applied and no consideration for employment will be granted.
If a determination is made that an applicant has inflated qualifications or experience on the resume, the employee will receive no consideration for the position, as per OPM regulations.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/30/2023:
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/30/2023.
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the qualified candidates, your name will be referred to the hiring official, and you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/729119300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
Please visit find a park for additional park information.
This position is located within the Mississippi River Fire Management Zone of the Southeast Region of the National Park Service. The Fire Management Zone encompasses much of Kentucky and Tennessee, all of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western portion of the Florida panhandle. The ecological systems are varied stretching from the Cumberland Plateau to the Gulf of Mexico with oak/hickory forests, prairies/glades, and longleaf pine forests. This position serves an integral part of a fire management team and has a responsibility to implement field activities associated with wildland fire suppression and fuels management operations within the various park units located within the assigned zone.
